BEULAH — A Benzie County elected official faces three misdemeanor charges tied to a June traffic stop in which she's accused of possessing alcohol and marijuana.
Wexford County authorities this month charged Mary Joan Pitcher, 51, of Beulah, with marijuana possession, possessing open intoxicants in a vehicle, and allowing a person with a suspended license to operate her vehicle.
Pitcher is member of the Benzie County Board of Commissioners.
Her elected position prompted Benzie's prosecutor to ask that charges be considered in another jurisdiction. The state attorney general's office assigned Wexford County Prosecutor Mark Smathers to handle the case.
Pitcher's jury trial is slated for Aug. 2 in Beulah, but her attorney, John Grogan, doesn't expect the case will go that far.
"We do expect dismissal of the drug charge," Grogan said.
Bart Wayne Anderson, 46, of Beulah, was driving Pitcher's vehicle when Benzie deputies made a traffic stop on June 19. Deputies found marijuana in the vehicle, but Pitcher denied knowing the drug was in the car and said she didn't know Anderson had no license.
His license was revoked in 1995, state records show. He's also accused of marijuana possession.
Anderson's pre-trial conference is set for July 29 in Beulah.
Pitcher was elected to the county board in 1997. She represents Crystal Lake, Platte and Lake townships and serves on the county planning commission.
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Mary Pitcher Special to the Record-Eagle
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Bart Anderson Special to the Record-Eagle
Benzie commissioner faces pot charges
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